Caroline Linton ’21
Mile 22 of the Boston Marathon. {Photo used with permission from Juliette Love}
This past Monday April, 16 was a historic day for many reasons. It was the 121st anniversary of the Boston Marathon. It began at 8:40 a.m. and with staggered starts for the runners, the last men and women don’t cross the finish line until late in the evening.
For over thirty years the women who have won the Boston Marathon have been from other countries around the world, but this year was different. Just 2 hours, 39 minutes and 53 seconds after leaving the starting point, Desiree Linden made history by being the first American woman to win the women’s race in 33 years.
Yuki Kawauchi, also made history by being the first man from Japan to win the men’s race in 31 years. He won this title with a time of 2 hours 15 minutes and 58 seconds, beating the second place runner by 2 minutes and 25 seconds.
Despite the rain and grueling temperature, Linden 34 and Kawauchi 31 beat the odds and are now the champions of the 2018 Boston Marathon.
The Boston Marathon brings the city of together to celebrate athleticism and hard work at its finest. “Encouragement is everywhere and everyone does everything they can to help the runners. Whether it’s handing out popsicles, water, or excitement everyone wants to see the runners succeed,” says freshman from Boston, Sophie Klessel. Sometimes this encouragement is what inspires a runner to complete the full 26.2 miles. “If it hadn’t been Boston I wouldn’t have finished,” said Melissa Fluke a marathon runner this year.
Boston is known for its strength and on this day five years ago, it was truly exhibited. On April 15, 2013 there were two explosions at the finish line. Three people were instantly killed and several others suffered traumatic injuries. This horrible event led to the entire population of Boston rallying behind one another. Sophie Klessel experienced the “rebuilding of community after what happened. Everyone came together and helped in every way they could.”
This traumatic event led to the display of heroics all throughout the city. Every year since then there has been more and more participants and support from all over the world. The men and women who return each year and run this historic race truly demonstrate that Boston is strong.